DRDO successfully tests scramjet engines for next-gen hypersonic missiles, achieves key landmark

The ground-test is in continuation of the earlier test reported for 120 seconds in January 2025

Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday successfully conducted a long-duration Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground test for over 1,000 seconds at the newly built state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Test Facility in Hyderabad.

DRDL conducted long-duration Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground testing for more than 1,000 seconds at the newly built Scramjet Connect Test Facility at Hyderabad.

"The ground-test is in continuation of the earlier test reported for 120 seconds in January 2025." "With the successful test, the system will be soon ready for full-scale flight-worthy combustor testing," Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

"Hypersonic cruise missile is a class of weapons that can travel more than five times the speed of sound (> 6100 Kmph) for long duration and is powered by an air-breathing engine," the statement further added.

"Air breathing propulsion systems, having supersonic combustion, plays a critical role for long-duration cruise conditions." "This test validates the design of long long-duration scramjet combustor as well as test facility." "It is an outcome of an integrated effort put by the DRDO labs along with industry & academia and paves a strong base for the nation’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme," Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, Industry partners and academia for the remarkable achievement. He termed the success as a reflection of the Government’s strong commitment in realising critical Hypersonic Weapon Technologies for the nation.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated Director General (Missiles & Strategic Systems) Shri U Raja Babu, Director DRDL Dr GA Srinivasa Murthy and the complete team for demonstrating the supersonic combustion for more than 1,000 seconds involving cutting edge technologies.